Genetic Analysis of Ozark Hellbenders Utilizing RAPD Markers
Ozark hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) are large aquatic salamanders found in flowing waters. The abundance of this species is thought to have declined over the long term. What had been the most abundant population, in Spring River, Arkansas, appears to have declined precipitously in the last decade. The possibility of supplementing the population through captive propagation has been suggested, raising concerns about genetic issues. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was evaluated for assessing genetic variability among and within populations of Ozark hellbenders...
